Saint Jaidev

Saint
JAIDEV was a poet, two of whose hymns are
incorporated in the Guru Granth Sahib, is chiefly known to
the literary world as the author of the Gita Govinda, a lyrical
poem in which the love of Radha (soul or devotee) for Govinda (the
Supreme Being) is described symbolically and mystically. Jaidev was
born at Kindu Bilva which, according to some, is now Kenduh, in
Birbhum district of West Bengal, on the river Ajay and, according
to others, Kenduh-Sasan, on Praclll river, near Jagannath Purl
in Orissa. At the end of his poem, he has given his falher's name
as Bhojadeva and mother's as Radhadevi, deciphered also as
Rarnadevi, or Varnadevi. He is said to have flourished in
the reign of Raja Karnarnav (AD 1142-56) and Raja
Purushottam Dev (AD 1170-8()), both of Orissa.

Several
legends about him are recorded in the
Bhaktamal of Chandradatta. In his youth, he led the life of
an ascetic and a wandering preacher. The course changed for
him as, while in Pun once, a Brahman forced the hand of his
daughter on him. It turned out to be a happy marriage. His wife
sang with him the devotional songs which were of his own
composition. He spent some years at Kalham Kandi, now called
Jaidevpur in his memory, where he composed his immortal
lyric, the Gita Govinda. From a devotee of Lord Krsna,
he became a devotee of the Supreme Lord. He roamed about
the country preaching the gospel of love of God and of man.
Raja Lakshman Sen (AD 1175-1200), of Bengal, became his
disciple. Jaidev lived long and died in the village where
he was born, in happy retirement. There is a samadhi of
the saint in the village and an annual fair is held on the
first of Magh.

Besides
the Gita Govinda, two other compositions,
the Rasana Raghava, a drama, and the Chandralok, an essay on
the grace of style, are also ascribed to him.
Jaidev's hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib, one in
Raga Gujari and the other in Raga Maru, are in adoration
of Hari, the Supreme Being. "Duality," he says, "ended for
me as I remembered God who is the fountainhead of all
virtue. Cherish the Divine Name in your head. By repeating
His praise you will break the circuit of birth and death,
and you will dread death no more. Your heart and your word
and deed should be imbued with the love of One Hari alone."
Bhal Gurdas in his Varan, X. 10, pays tribute to Jaidev's
loving devotion whereby he attained the state when no
distinction remains between "the devotee and the infinite."